Formula 1: Qatar Grand Prix
Venue: Losail Circuit, Qatar.
Race Date: 21st November 2021
Race Preview
The first ever Qatar Grand Prix on the F1 calendar could not come at a more important time in the Driver’s Championship. Following Lewis Hamilton’s superb win in Brazil last time out, the race for the title is now separated by just 14 points, with Max Verstappen still leading the way. A brand new track on the calendar is sure to throw up its fair share of thrills and spill and with only 3 races to go in the 2021 Formula 1 season, the stakes could not be higher here in Qatar.
Betting Preview
Race Winner
With only 3 races to go in the Formula One season, it is very much now or never for some drivers and teams in Qatar here: –
Defending Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton showed his quality in Brazil last time out, coming from back in 10th place on the grid to pick up his 6th win of the season. The manner of the victory also made it very clear to Max Verstappen that Hamilton is still very much in the mix, as he goes in pursuit of a record 8th F1 World Championship title. Many expect Hamilton to be the front runner here in Qatar, on a new track for all involved and he looks to be the man to beat once more.
With a 14 point lead in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, Max Verstappen still very much holds the initiative with only 3 races to run. He was outclassed in Brazil however, a track he was expected to perform well at, and he is a man under pressure heading down the home straight. The Flying Dutchman knows that he has his fate in his own hands and with a decent lead, three podium finishes are likely to be enough to see him lift the title, but pressure is a funny thing and Verstappen will need to put in a big performance here in Qatar.
Valtteri Bottas is into his last three races as a Mercedes driver before he joins the Alfa Romeo project, and he will be out to prove a point here. The Finn has developed a real run of consistency in recent weeks and his podium finish in Brazil last week was testament to that. How he would love to spoil the party here in Qatar and should he get up ahead of speed here, he could be very difficult to stop.
Top Six Finish
2021 has thrown up its fair share of thrills and spills already this season and there will be plenty of racers fancying their chances of cracking the top 6 in Qatar this weekend:-
Ferrari haven’t been at their best this season, but Carlos Sainz has enjoyed a fairly solid campaign, despite not having a car to compete at the top end of the table this season. Sainz came into the campaign as the second driver behind Charles Leclerc at Ferrari but the two are now seen as equals due to his performance this season and how he will want to finish the season strongly.
Whilst he still awaits his first ever F1 race win, young Englishman Lando Norris has been at the forefront of the superb season McLaren have enjoyed thus far. He will be desperate to end up in the top 5 in the Driver’s Championship and with the likes of both Ferrari drivers breathing down his neck, he knows he needs a performance here in Qatar.
Toro Rosso driver Pierre Gasly has been banging at the door once again this season and his speed in most races has been one of the takeaways of the season. He has been able to put plenty of points on the board for Toro Rosso, who’ve endured a difficult campaign and he will be doing all he can to finish the season strongly.
F1 betxchange.com Qatar Grand Prix Best Bets:
Race Winner: Lewis Hamilton – 8/11
Top Six Finish: Carlos Sainz – 1/2
